Shower Space Expander

ABSTRACT

The invention is an adjustable extendible (or telescoping) arm mounted on the shower wall of the typical tub and shower combination having 2 positions, stowed and active. The stowed (or normal/collapsed) position is against the wall, either the front or the rear wall (the nominal 30″ wide wall) of the shower. In the active position the device is positioned against the shower curtain pushing the mid to upper portion of the curtain outboard of the tub area increasing usable space for shower activities. The shower occupant rotates the collapsed arm toward the shower curtain and extends the sections to allow the arm to push the central area of the curtain out producing additional room. A secondary use for the invention is to use the arm to position the wet shower curtain inboard of the tub allowing the curtain to dry rapidly and prevent mildew. The invention is comprised of a flat plate with 2 ears which captivate the arm between them. A carriage bolt passes through holes in the 3 components. A knob with integral threaded nut is screwed onto the exposed threads of the carriage bolt. When tightened the knob produces friction against the arm enabling it to remain fixed in the desired position against the shower curtain. Once friction required for the specific curtain (s) is set by the occupant the invention requires no additional adjustment to maintain the curtain in the desired position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims priority from U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/279,628, filed Oct. 23, 2009, titled“Shower Space Expander”.

BACKGROUND

The invention is a consumer product for use in a common combination tuband shower which utilizes a soft plastic and/or cloth shower curtain orcurtains. This tub and shower design has not changed in over 100 yearswhile the average size of the occupant has increased dramatically.

The invention provides the shower occupant significant additional spaceby pushing the central area of the curtain outboard of the tubs verticalplane while the lower portion of the curtain remains within the tub.This produces a “tenting” effect in the central area where the occupantstands while allowing the front and rear vertical ends of the innershower curtain to remain in the tubs vertical plane which prevents waterfrom exiting the tub.

The invention also prevents a common shower problem wherein the wetcurtain blows in during showering contacting the occupant.

After showering the invention may be used in reverse fashion to push thewet shower curtain away from the side of the tub allowing air tocirculate around the curtain allowing the curtain shower spaces to dryquickly preventing mildew.

The invention is designed to be low cost and quickly installed withouttools on most shower wall surfaces and also provides screw holes whichmay be uncovered and used for installing the invention on rough andtextured surfaces.

The invention is designed to last indefinitely with no possibility ofrust or corrosion nor wear within the active parts.

While not in use the inventions compact size uses the least amount ofspace within the shower, does not alter the appearance of the bathroomnor impede occupant ingress and egress.

Two (2) competing products providing similar but limited benefit includethe curved shower rod and the cantilevered weight attached to the showerrod between the inner and outer curtain.

The curved shower rod does provide some additional room however it hasmany negative features including: a) it does not prevent shower curtain“blow in”, b) it does not prevent mildew, c) it reduces bathroom space,d) it is visually unattractive, e) it requires a special curtain therebyadding expense and making commonly available curtains unusable, f)installation is difficult, requires special tools, is time consuming andbeyond most homeowners capability, g) it is very expensive in comparisonto the invention and h) the majority of added space is provided at uppershoulder and head level providing little benefit where most showeringactivity occurs.

The cantilevered weight unit provides some additional shower spacehowever it also has negative features including, a) it cannot bepositioned to dry the curtain, b) it is expensive and requires fairlycomplex assembly, c) it blocks ingress and egress to the shower, and d)it requires inner and outer shower curtains in order to hide theproducts unattractive components.

The invention may be manufactured and packaged as a travel accessorywhen a suction cup is designed into the mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention embodies a rotatable extendible arm which contacts theshower curtain pushing the desired portion outboard of the tub whilemaintaining the lower portion of the curtain within the tub.

The invention consists of the following components; flat plate withcaptivating ears, waterproof double sided adhesive tape, ribbed neckcarriage bolt, extendible tubular arm, nylon connector for arm with aflat portion having a through hole, stainless steel washers, clampingknob with integral brass nut, plastic sleeve, plastic cap.

The flat plate with ears is molded from nylon and has 2 separated earswith through holes extending at a 90 degree angle from the flat area.The flat area will have double sided adhesive tape applied. The flatarea has two through holes which are normally plugged. These plugs maybe removed allowing the unit to be screwed to the shower wall when thewall surface is not suitable for adhesive tape.

The nylon outside eye end connector allows the telescopic tube to beinserted and secured via friction set screw. The other side of theconnector is flat and fits within the deck hinge. The deck hinge earsand the eye end connector have 0.25 inch through holes.

The flat portion of the nylon outside eye end connector is insertedwithin the ears of the deck hinge with a stainless steel washer on eachside of the eye end to provide additional friction. The ribbed neckcarriage bolt is placed through the deck hinge, eye end and washers. Theribbed neck of the carriage bolt locks the bolt to one side of the deckhinge preventing the bolt from rotating during friction adjustment.

A plastic clamping knob with integral brass threaded insert is screwedonto the exposed threads of the carriage bolt. As the knob is atightened friction increases against the eye ends flat area. This allowsthe arm to remain in the occupant desired position when pushed againstthe shower curtain. This feature also allows the arm to move withoutharm to the device if accidentally pushed against by the occupant.

The fully assembled unit is packaged for purchase. With the telescopicarm collapsed the packaged unit is nominal 2″×1½″×12″, a small envelopeideal for sale in brick and mortar stores (uses little shelf space) andinexpensive to ship.

To install the invention the consumer is directed by writteninstructions. Locate the unit flat plate along the outer side (near theshower curtain) of either the front or rear wall of the shower asdesired. The unit installation height is recommended to be centeredbetween the elbow and the shoulder of the adult occupant while standingin the shower. Temporarily set the unit horizontally against the walland when visually acceptable draw a pencil line around the outline ofthe flat plate. Clean the outlined area with alcohol and allow to dry 10minutes. Remove the liner tape from the double sided adhesive attachedto the back of the flat mounting plate. Place the flat plate within theoutline and apply pressure for 60 seconds. Allow the unit to be idle foran hour before use.

For installation on rough and/or irregular surfaced shower walls it isrecommended that the unit be screwed to the wall. Remove the hole capsin the flat plate. Place the unit in area desired and mark outline ofthe deck hinge and insert pencil in 2 deck hinge holes to mark theirlocations on the wall. Using a ceramic drill bit (for tiled wall) drillthrough the tiles and the backboard. Insert hollow plastic screw anchorsin each hole. Place the unit and screw it to the wall with the screwsprovided with the anchors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a top view of the invention when in the collapsed andstowed inactive position.

FIG. 2 provides the front view of the invention when in the collapsedand stowed inactive position. This is the view the shower occupant seeswhen standing in front of the unit.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of the invention and identifies all thecomponents, described below.

1. This item is similar to a nylon marine type deck hinge and isbasically a flat plate with 2 through holes having 2 ears extending outfrom the plate. Both ears have through holes.

2. Plastic plugs cover the screw holes and may be removed ifdouble-sided adhesive tape is not suitable.

3. Ribbed neck carriage bolt.

4. Double-sided adhesive tape attached to back of item 1.

5. Plastic clamping knob having a threaded female insert.

6. Stainless steel washers (2).

7. Nylon outside eye end connector (similar to marine hardware productused with bimini tops).

8. Stainless steel set screw (part of item 7).

9. Aluminum tube 16 mm diameter and nominal 12 inches long (part oftelescoping tube assembly). Lines between tubes indicate how the tubesfit together when assembled.

10. Aluminum tube 14 mm diameter and nominal 12 inches long with plasticinsert on one end to provide friction while telescoping (part oftelescoping tube assembly).

11. Plastic sleeve glued onto the tube end which acts as a grip fortelescoping the section.

12. Aluminum tube 12 mm diameter and nominal 12 inches long with plasticinsert on one end to provide friction while telescoping (part oftelescoping tube assembly).

13. Plastic cap glued onto the end of the tube which covers the tube endand acts as a handle for telescoping the section.

FIG. 4 illustrates the invention installed on the wall of the shower andin the stowed inactive and collapsed position. The unit is installedbetween the shower water flow control and the shower head nearby theshower curtain. Components are described below.

-   -   14. The invention installed within the shower in the inactive        stowed position.    -   15. Shower curtain rod.    -   16. Shower curtain. Note this may be a single curtain or a        double curtain wherein one curtain remains within the shower and        the outside curtain is used for decorative purpose.    -   17. Bath tub.

FIG. 5 illustrates the invention installed on the wall of the shower inthe active rotated and extended position. The unit has been rotated andextended to the area where the shower occupant stands.

-   -   18. The invention installed within the shower in the active        rotated and extended position. Note the additional room provided        the occupant.

FIG. 6 provides a top view of the invention installed on the wall of theshower in the active rotated and extended position. The unit has beenrotated and extended to the area where the shower occupant stands. Thisview shows the extended unit and the tenting effect on the showercurtain. Note that the curtain at the front and rear of the showerremains against the wall and within the tub area preventing water fromexiting the shower area.

-   -   19. The invention installed within the shower in the active        rotated and extended position.    -   20. Shower curtain. Note this may be a single curtain or a        double curtain wherein one curtain remains within the shower and        the outside curtain is used for decorative purpose.    -   21. Water leaving the shower head.

SUMMARY

The invention is a self contained consumer bathroom appliance/productwith worldwide application.

The invention is specifically designed for use within standard tubshaving shower curtains.

The invention provides over 50% more space for the shower occupant usingtheir existing shower curtain(s).

The invention stops wet shower curtain “blow in” and prevents mildewformation.

The invention is small, attractive, very low cost, easily installed anddesigned for a lifetime of use.

The invention is quickly and easily installed by the consumer withouttools.

The invention mounts on the outboard side (near the shower curtain) ofeither the front or rear wall of the shower at nominal elevation of 48inches.

The invention embodies a mounting plate which captivates a telescopingarm which rotates horizontally within the shower.

The invention arm may be quickly positioned (rotate and extend arm) topush the central area of the curtain outboard of the tub to produceadditional space for occupant shower activities.

The invention when in use prevents the shower curtain from blowing inand contacting the occupant.

The invention when not in use may be positioned to place the showercurtain toward the center of the tub allowing air to dry all sides ofthe curtain and the tub to prevent mildew formation.

1. A method of utilizing a device with embodies a wall mounted rotatingand extendible arm to provide additional room for the shower occupant bypushing the middle to upper portion of the shower curtain out from thevertical plane of the tub while the lower portion remains within the tubto prevent water from exiting the shower area.
 2. A method of claim 1wherein the device is designed for the standard combination shower/bathbeing nominal 30 inches wide by 60 inches long with a tub and 3 solidwalls and a shower curtain providing the 4^(th) wall.
 3. A method ofclaim 1 wherein the device is fixed to either the front or rear showerwall using various means including adhesive foam, screws, glue, suctioncup(s) or other means.
 4. A method of claim 1 wherein the device usesmultiple sections (or stages) telescopic tube which can be extended andretracted as well as rotated against the curtain and locked in positiondesired by the user through friction (either fixed or adjustable).
 5. Amethod of claim 1 wherein the telescoping stages may have frictionmechanism, locking mechanism (twist, lever or other) or no additionalmechanism (close fit between pieces).
 6. A method of claim 1 wherein thearm telescopic sections may be tubular (round, oval orsquare/rectangular).
 7. A method of claim 1 wherein the device which mayalso use a single fixed length stage which rotates and locks in positiondesired.
 8. A method of claim 1 whose telescopic tube is hingedhorizontally to allow it to be moved into an active position wherein itpushes the shower curtain out and away from the bath occupant to provideadditional room and prevent the shower curtain from contacting theoccupant (“blowing in” against the occupants skin“).
 9. A method ofclaim 1 wherein the device's single or multiple stages may be rotated inthe vertical plane to expand the shower room.
 10. A method of claim 1wherein the device may use multiple hinged components to provide theextension capability.
 11. A method of claim 1 wherein the device arm isof gooseneck type construction.
 12. A method of claim 1 wherein thedevice may be positioned parallel with the front (or rear) shower wallwhen not in use.
 13. A method of claim 1 wherein the device may be madefrom plastic, aluminum or a combination of these and other materials.14. A method of claim 1 wherein the device color is typically whitenylon and polished aluminum but may be manufactured and sold in avariety of materials, colors and color combinations.
 15. A method ofclaim 1 wherein the device is designed to work with either a standardshower curtain liner or a combination of liner and curtain of variedweights, material types and textures.
 16. A method of claim 1 wherein adevice not in use (stowed against the shower wall) does not alter thenormal presentation of a shower curtain, which is flat and straight. 17.A method of claim 1 wherein the device arm may be locked in desiredposition through various means including fixed friction, adjustablefriction, ratcheting lock, fixed stop which could be adjustable,lockable ball joint and other means.
 18. A method of claim 1 wherein thedevice may be concealed through disguise as a towel bar, grab bar, soapdish, shelf, basket or other means.
 19. A method of claim 1 wherein thedevice may be used to dry the shower curtain/liner by positioning thecurtain towards the center of tub enabling rapid drying and preventingmildew.